wellness
Local Free Mental Health Services and How to Access Them
Beijing residents can reach no-cost counseling at district centers and through city hotlines without referrals.
How we reported this
Beijing residents can now use free mental health services at multiple district community health centers starting this month. The Beijing Health Commission expanded walk-in slots at these sites on July 1.
Stress levels have climbed in central Beijing neighborhoods since the start of 2025. Office workers in Chaoyang and Haidian districts report longer commutes and heavier workloads, which local health records link to more anxiety cases. City data shows demand for counseling rose 18 percent year over year at public facilities.
Where to go in Dongcheng and Chaoyang
The Dongcheng District Community Health Service Center on Dongsi North Street offers free 30-minute sessions every weekday morning. Staff there handle walk-ins from 8 a.m. to noon. In Chaoyang, the Mental Health Support Desk inside the Sanlitun Community Health Station on Gongti North Road provides the same service on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Both locations accept residents with a Beijing health card and require no advance booking for initial visits.
These centers operate under the city’s 2024 mental health action plan, which allocated 12 million yuan to expand free slots. Records from the Beijing Center for Disease Control show 42,000 free sessions delivered across all districts in 2025. Average wait time at the listed sites runs under 20 minutes on weekdays.
Next steps for residents
Call the municipal mental health hotline at 12320 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to confirm current hours or request a same-day slot. Visitors should bring their health insurance card and arrive 15 minutes early to complete a short intake form. Staff at either center can also direct callers to nearby group sessions held on weekends at the same addresses.